Chain for supporting energy conveying means, and chain link therefor

ABSTRACT

A chain for supporting energy conveying means, especially power lines and hoses, and a chain link therefor, according to which the chain links are of H-shape having two oppositely located laterally elastically yieldable arms interconnected by a transverse wall while two oppositely located arm sections of each link are provided with holes and the other two oppositely located arm sections of the same link are provided with studs having a diameter corresponding to a slide fit in said holes, the arrangement being such that the studs of one chain link pivotally engage the holes of the next following chain link.

The invention relates to supporting means in the form of a chain forconveying energy, fluid, and other substances to units moving along atrack, in which the energy or the like conveying means are accommodatedwithin spaces in a load-bearing chain. This chain comprises a number oflinks pivotally connected to each other and provided with stops forlimiting the extent to which each link can swivel in relation to theadjacent links, each link comprising two side plates tied by across-piece or web.

Power-line supporting chains of this type are used, for example, withtraveling machine tools, when electric, hydraulic or pneumatic power hasto be fed to the tool. The power-line supporting chain is then usuallysupplied in the form of a self-supporting chain with links bearing stopsto limit the relative pivotal movement between adjacent links. In mostcases, the arrangement of the stops is such that the radius of curvatureof the chain is infinitely great in one direction, so that the chainremains rigid when stretched out. In contrast thereto, the radius ofcurvature in the other direction has a finite value, so that the linksof the chain can swivel to a chosen limited angle to one another,determined by the permissible radius of curvature of the least robustpower line.

Various types of such power-line supporting chains are known, in whichthe individual links are joined together by hinge pins or by pivotsleeves. The hinge pins are secured in the plates by clips, clamps, orscrew connections.

The design of the links for the known power-line supporting chainsentails fairly heavy expenditure on precision work and production time.These links are invariably of a locked type such that whenever twoadjacent links need to be taken apart, this can be done only withspecial tools. For large-sized supporting chains, such links areessential wherever long self-supporting spans are required. Hitherto,they have also been used for power-line supporting chains employed onlighter duties. With chains of this type, the precision work requiredhas hitherto hindered production and prevented the chains from beingfreely used.

It is an object of the invention to provide a power-line supportingchain in which the links are joined together in such a way that thepivot connections can be made and released at any time, easily andwithout the use of special tools.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a supporting chain asset forth in the preceding paragraph which can be realized at aconsiderably lower cost in material and assembly work for the chain-linkpivots than was heretofore possible.

Another object of the invention is to eliminate the difficulties anddrawbacks inherent in the present state of the art.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear moreclearly from the following specification in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of part of a power-line supporting chainaccording to the invention.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of one type of link according to theinvention.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of another type of link according to theinvention.

.Iadd.FIG. 4 is a partial cross-section through a link of the type ofFIG. 2 or FIG. 3 showing a modified form of stud according to theinvention.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-section through a link of the type of FIG. 2or FIG. 3 showing a bushing in the bore according to the invention..Iaddend.

The chain according to the invention for supporting energy conductorswithin one or more passages provided in a number of chain links havingside plates with the side plates of one link pivoted to thecorresponding side plate of the next adjacent link, and provided withbearing stops for limiting the extent to which each link swivelsrelative to the next adjacent link is characterized primarily in thatthe side plates of each link are tied together by a cross-pieceintermediate the extremities of the link to allow the end portions ofthe side plates freedom to flex, while each of the side plates has oneend portion provided with a stud while the opposite end portion isprovided with a hole or depression corresponding in shape to the studand into which the corresponding stud of the next adjacent link can bepushed.

This design results in a link that is particularly easy to manufacture.The studs and recesses can be formed during the actual production of thelink, and no separate components whatever are required any longer formaking up the pivots between adjacent links. Adjacent links in a chaincan be press-fitted together in such a short time that the length oftime required hitherto for assembling a power-line supporting chain canbe reduced to a mere fraction thereof. Moreover, a pair of links can bereadily separated by slightly bending apart the corresponding ends oftwo outer side plates. Thus it becomes possible, for example, for adamaged chain link to be replaced or the length of a chain to be alteredwithin a short period of time. The maintenance of a stock of spare partsis also materially simplified, since the power-line supporting chains,which are very cumbersome because of the limited extent to which thelinks can be swivelled, need no longer be stored in one piece. Hereagain, in any case, it is an advantage that no additional parts arerequired for making up the pivots between links.

Some embodiments of the invention are described below, one feature ofwhich is that those ends of the outer side plates which carry the studsare offset from the ends containing the holes. This ensures that theends of the outer parts of the side plates, after assembly of thepower-line supporting chain, lie throughout in the boundary planes ofthe chain and that the chain is of uniform width from end to end becausethose end portions of the side plates which are offset inwardly arealways contained between those end portions of the side plates of thenext adjacent link which are further spaced apart, i.e. offsetoutwardly, so that the narrower portions of the links, throughout thechain as a whole, are built up to the same width as the wider portions.Hence, the amount of offset of the plate end portions should preferablybe equal to the thickness of the material of the plates.

A desirable feature of the invention is that those faces of the sideplates which contain the holes or recesses, as seen from the directionin which the studs are pushed home, should also contain cut-awayportions running from the holes to the adjacent edge of the side plate.This enables the studs of one link to be introduced far more easily intothe holes in the other link. The cutaway portions may with advantagetaper towards the holes. The assembly of two links will also be furtherfacilitated if the depth cut away be reduced as it nears the hole. Inthis way, as two links are pushed together lengthwise, the end portionsof one link will be forced apart and those of the other link will beforced together more easily and in fact almost of their own accord.Then, if the cut-away portion ends right at the edge of the hole, thestuds will readily slip or spring into the holes. Another advantageconsists in that the cross-section of the side plates will be weakenedhardly if at all at the point of stress in the vicinity of the holes.

It is of advantage for the studs to be shaped as cylindrical pins andfor the holes to pass fully through the side plates.

Irrespective of whether a cut-away portion be provided adjacent eachhole, the forcing together of the end portions of those side plateswhich are inwardly stepped, as well as the forcing apart of the endportions of those plates which are outwardly stepped, will befacilitated if the studs be sloped or rounded at the front, with respectto the direction of insertion.

Power lines can best be passed through openings in the cross-pieces.However, not only is the cross-piece suitable for securing andaccommodating power lines, but it may also well be used to provide astop-face for the edges of adjacent link plates, so as to limit theswiveling angle between links. This can readily be arranged by adaptingthe position of the cross-piece to that of the edges of the side platesof the adjacent link. In the production of a chain link, it is desirablefor the two end portions of a side plate to be offset from each otherwhere the cross-piece abuts the side plate.

Another possibility, however, is for those end portions of the sideplates which bear the studs also to be provided with stops for limitingthe swiveling angle.

Those edges of the side plates which come up against a stop may havesubstantially flat stop faces, which will enable to reduce the pressureper unit surface area as exerted on the stops and edges.

Synthetic material such as a thermoplastic on an ethylene basis isparticularly suitable as a material for chain links such as hereproposed, especially as the elasticity of the synthetic material greatlyassists the bending apart of the link ends. It is also perfectlypossible for the links in such a power-line supporting chain to be madeof metal, the requisite degree of flexibility still being obtainable ina side plate of adequate tensile strength. When the material chosen isplastics, however, there is the further advantage that a chain link canbe made all in one piece.

There are basically two possible ways of constructing a power-linesupporting chain in accordance with the invention. Thus, the side platesmay carry studs on the outside of one end portion and may contain holesshaped like the studs on the inside of the other end portion. Thisarrangement may equally well be reversed, so that the side plates carrystuds on the inside at one end and contain holes on the outside at theother end for accommodating the studs.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and FIG. 1 thereof inparticular, the power-line supporting chain shown in FIG. 1 is made upof a number of links 10, in which the ends 11a of the side plates 11carry studs 12, while the opposite ends 11b, which are farther spacedapart than the ends 11a, contain corresponding holes 13 (see FIG. 2).The outer faces of the ends 11a of the side plates 11 are also providedwith stops 14, while the more widely spaced ends 11b have flattened edgefaces 15. When such a chain is bent, each link 10 moves to a givenswivel angle in relation to the adjacent link 10 at which the edge face15 is in contact with the stop 14, but beyond which no further bendingof the chain is possible. When the chain is straightened out, however,the other side of each edge face 15 encounters the stop 14, so that thechain cannot be bent the opposite way but becomes self-supporting.

FIG. 2 shows the basic form of link 10 used for the chain illustrated inFIG. 1, except that in the case of the link 10 in FIG. 2 there are notstops 14 on the outer faces of the ends 11a of each plate 11. Across-piece 16, which serves as a tie for the two side plates 11, herealso performs the functions of the stops 14. For this reason, too, theedge face 15 is divided into two parts, 15 is substantially vertical andlies in contact with a cross- at a chosen angle to each other. Part 15aof the edge face 15 is substantially vertical and lies in contact with across-piece 16 when the power-line supporting chain is straight. Part15b of the edge face 15 lies in contact with the cross-piece 16 when themaximum permissible swiveling angle has been reached. From this itfollows that the angle between the parts 15a and 15b is governed by thepermitted swiveling angle, to which it is supplementary, that is to saymakes up 180°.

The front face of the stud 12 is sloped to facilitate assembly of thechain links 10.

The inner faces of the ends 11b of the outer plates 11 contain cut-aways17, which taper towards the holes 13. The depth of the cut-aways 17decreases as they approach the holes 13, so that the clearance betweenopposite pairs of cut-aways 17 decreases likewise and the end portions11b are forced apart when the end portions 11a carrying the studs 12 ofanother link 10 are thrust into position.

The cross-piece 16 lies precisely at the point where the end portions11a are stepped from the ends 11b towards the center of the link 10. Theextent of the offset between the ends 11a and 11b is equal to thethickness of the material in a side plate 11, so that the outer faces ofall the ends 11b lie in alignment. The cross-piece 16 is provided withan opening 18 through which a power line is passed.

In the type of chain link 19 shown in FIG. 3, two side plates 20 aretied together by a cross-member 21. This contains an opening 22 for apower line. The ends 20a of the side plates 20 are farther apart thanthe ends 20b. The inner faces of the ends 20a carry studs 23 and stops24. The ends 20b of the outer plates 20 contain holes 25 opposite whichthe outer faces contain cut-aways 26 of the same shape as the cut-aways17. Thus, when two links 19 are press-fitted together, the ends 20acarrying the studs 23 fit over the ends 20b, the studs 23 sliding alongin the cut-aways 26 until they reach and snap home into the holes 25.Here again, it is partly the ends 20b which are forced together andpartly the ends 20a which are forced apart.

In any of the forms of link described above, the studs can be made froma material different from that of the remainder of the link, and suchstuds can be inserted into the links. Moreover, bushes made of amaterial other than that used for the studs or the remainder of thelink, can be set into the holes.

.Iadd.Such an arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 4 wherein the arm 11aof FIG. 2 or 20a of FIG. 3 is provided with a separate stud 30, made ofsteel, for example, which is secured to the arm by conventional meanssuch as a press fit, adhesive, threads or clips. .Iaddend.

It is, of course, to be understood that the present invention is, by nomeans, limited to the specific showing in the drawing, but alsocomprises any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

It may furthermore be added that while the chain links may be made ofvarious types of synthetic material, thermoplastic synthetic material onan ethylene basis has proved very successful. If the cam or stud 12 ismade of such thermoplastic synthetic material, the bores 13 may beprovided with a bushing of steel. Inversely, if the link is made ofsteel, the bushing in bore 13 may be made of thermoplastic syntheticmaterial on an ethylene basis.

.Iadd.Such an arrangement is shown in FIG. 5 in which the bore 13 ofFIG. 2 or 25 of FIG. 3 carries a bushing 32, made of steel, for example,retained in the corresponding arm of the link by conventional means suchas a press fit, adhesive or threads.

What we claim is:
 1. A power-line supporting chain for supporting energyconveying means, especially power lines and hoses, which includes aplurality of chain links pivotally connected to each other, each of saidlinks being H-shaped and having two oppositely located and substantiallyparallel plate-shaped arms .[.and a transverse.]. .Iadd.integrallyformed with .Iaddend.wall .[.transverse.]. .Iadd.means extendingtransversely .Iaddend.to the longitudinal extension of said arms andinterconnecting the same at an area between the ends of said arms,.Iadd.said transverse wall means defining at least one transverseopening in each link adapted to receive energy conveying means forretention between said arms, .Iaddend.each of said arms being laterallyelastically yieldable relative to the other arm in a directiontransverse to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the respective linkand having two sections connected to each other at the region of saidtransverse wall .[.while.]. .Iadd.means.Iaddend., one of said sectionsof each arm .[.is.]. .Iadd.being .Iaddend.provided with a bore and thepertaining other section of the same arm .[.is.]. .Iadd.being.Iaddend.provided with a stud having an outer diameter corresponding toa slide fit for said bore, said chain links being arranged so that thestuds of one chain link pivotally engage the bores of the respectivenext following link while the bores of said one chain link are pivotallyengaged by the studs of the respective next preceding link, the endportion of each side plate which bears the stud being offset from theend portion of the side plate which contains the .[.hole.]..Iadd.bore.Iaddend..
 2. A chain according to claim 1, in which the twosections of each arm of each link are offset with regard to each otherin a direction transverse to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of therespective chain link.
 3. A chain according to claim 1, in which thoseend portions of the arms which contain the bores also contain cut-awayportions each of which extends between the respective bore and theadjacent edge of the pertaining arm and provides a guide passage forguiding a stud into the respective bore.
 4. A chain according to claim1, in which the studs are in the form of cylindrical pins, and in whichthe bores extend fully through the respective arms.
 5. A chain accordingto claim 1, in which the studs are chamfered on their leading sides withrespect to the direction in which the link is moved relative to the nextadjacent link to be connected therewith. .[.6. A chain according toclaim 1 in which each transverse wall contains at least one openingthrough which power lines can be passed..].
 7. A chain according toclaim 1, in which the two sections of each arm are offset from eachother where the transverse wall .Iadd.means .Iaddend.adjoins the sideplate.
 8. A chain according to claim 1, in which stops for limiting theswiveling angle between the links are mounted on those ends of the armswhich carry the studs.
 9. A chain according to claim 1, in which thechain links are made of synthetic material. .[.10. A chain according toclaim 1, in which each chain link is made in one piece..].
 11. A chainaccording to claim 1, in which each of the chain links is provided withabutment means for limiting the maximum angular position of each twoadjacent chain links, and in which each link has a flat end face portionfor cooperation with abutment means of the respective adjacent link. 12.A chain for supporting energy conveying means, especially power linesand hoses, which includes a plurality of chain links pivotally connectedto each other, each of said links being H-shaped and having twooppositely located and substantially parallel plate-shaped arms and .[.atransverse.]. wall .[.transverse.]. .Iadd.means extending transversely.Iaddend.to the longitudinal extension of said arms and interconnectingthe same at an area between the ends of said arms, .Iadd.said transversewall means defining at least one transverse opening in each link adaptedto receive energy conveying means for retention between said arms,.Iaddend.each of said arms being laterally elastically yieldablerelative to the other arm in a direction transverse to the longitudinalplane of symmetry of the respective link and having two sectionsconnected to each other at the region of said transverse wall.[.while.]. .Iadd.means.Iaddend., one of said sections of each arm.[.is.]. .Iadd.being .Iaddend.provided with a bore and the pertainingother section of the same arm .[.is.]. .Iadd.being .Iaddend.providedwith a stud having an outer diameter corresponding to a slide fit forsaid bore, said chain links being arranged so that the studs of onechain link pivotally engage the bores of the respective next followinglink while the bores of said one chain link are pivotally engaged by thestuds of the respective next preceding link, those end portions of thearms which contain the bores also containing cut-away portions each ofwhich extends between the respective bore and the adjacent edge of thepertaining arm and provides a guide passage for guiding a stud into therespective bore, the width of a cut-away tapering towards thecorresponding adjacent bore.
 13. A chain for supporting energy conveyingmeans, especially power lines and hoses, which includes a plurality ofchain links pivotally connected to each other, each of said links beingH-shaped and having two oppositely located and substantially parallelplate-shaped arms and .[.a transverse.]. wall .[.transverse.]..Iadd.means extending transversely .Iaddend.to the longitudinalextension of said arms and interconnecting the same at an area betweenthe ends of said arms, .Iadd.said transverse wall means defining atleast one transverse opening in each link adapted to receive energyconveying means for retention between said arms, .Iaddend.each of saidarms being laterally elastically yieldable relative to the other arm ina direction transverse to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of therespective link and having two sections connected to each other at theregion of said transverse wall .[.while.]. .Iadd.means.Iaddend., one ofsaid sections of each arm .[.is.]. .Iadd.being .Iaddend.provided with abore and the pertaining other section of the same arm .[.is.]..Iadd.being .Iaddend.provided with a stud having an outer diametercorresponding to a slide fit for said bore, said chain links beingarranged so that the studs of one chain link pivotally engage the boresof the respective next following link while the bores of said one chainlink are pivotally engaged by the studs of the respective next precedinglink, those end portions of the arms which contain the bores alsocontaining cut-away portions each of which extends between therespective bore and the adjacent edge of the pertaining arm and providesa guide passage for guiding a stud into the respective bore, the depthof a cut-away decreasing with decreasing distance from the edge of thepertaining bore.
 4. A chain according to claim 13, in which eachcut-away terminates at the edge of the adjacent bore.
 15. A power-linesupporting chain for supporting energy conveying means, especially powerlines and hoses, which includes a plurality of chain links pivotallyconnected to each other, each of said links being H-shaped and havingtwo oppositely located and substantially parallel plate-shaped arms and.[.a transverse.]. wall .[.transverse.]. .Iadd.means extendingtransversely .Iaddend.to the longitudinal extension of said arms andinterconnecting the same at an area between the ends of said arms,.Iadd.said transverse wall means defining at least one transverseopening in each link adapted to receive energy conveying means forretention between said arms, .Iaddend.each of said arms being laterallyelastically yieldable relative to the other arm in a directiontransverse to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the respective linkand having two sections connected to each other at the region of saidtransverse wall .[.while.]. .Iadd.means.Iaddend., one of said sectionsof each arm .[.is.]. .Iadd.being .Iaddend.provided with a bore and thepertaining other section of the same arm .[.is.]. .Iadd.being.Iaddend.provided with a stud having an outer diameter corresponding toa slide fit for said bore, said chain links being arranged so that thestuds of one chain link pivotally engage the bores of the respectivenext following link while the bores of said one chain link are pivotallyengaged by the studs of the respective next preceding link, thetransverse wall .Iadd.means .Iaddend.of a chain link serving as astop-face for the edge face of an adjacent chain link so as to limit theswiveling angle between the links. .[.16. A chain for supporting energyconveying means, especially power lines and hoses, which includes aplurality of chain links pivotally connected to each other, each of saidlinks being H-shaped and having two oppositely located and substantiallyparallel plate-shaped arms and a transverse wall transverse to thelongitudinal extension of said arms and interconnecting the same at anarea between the ends of said arms, each of said arms being laterallyelastically yieldable relative to the other arm in a directiontransverse to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the respective linkand having two sections connected to each other at the region of saidtransverse wall, while one of said sections of each arm is provided witha bore and the pertaining other section of the same arm is provided witha stud having an outer diameter corresponding to a slide fit for saidbore, said chain links being arranged so that the studs of one chainlink pivotally engage the bores of the respective next following linkwhile the bores of said one chain link are pivotally engaged by thestuds of the respective next preceding link, the studs being made of amaterial different from the material of the chain links and beinginserted into the latter..]. .[.17. A chain for supporting energyconveying means, especially power lines and hoses, which includes aplurality of chain links pivotally connected to each other, each of saidlinks being H-shaped and having two oppositely located and substantiallyparallel plate-shaped arms and a transverse wall transverse to thelongitudinal extension of said arms and interconnecting the same at anarea between the ends of said arms, each of said arms being laterallyelastically yieldable relative to the other arm in a directiontransverse to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the respective linkand having two sections connected to each other at the region of saidtransverse wall, while one of said sections of each arm is provided witha bore and the pertaining other section of the same arm is provided witha stud having an outer diameter corresponding to a slide fit for saidbore, said chain links being arranged so that the studs of one chainlink pivotally engage the bores of the respective next following linkwhile the bores of said one chain link are pivotally engaged by thestuds of the respective next preceding link, and bushes made of amaterial other than that used for the studs and set into the bores ofthe respective link arm sections..].
 18. A .[.chain.]. link .Iadd.for apower-line supporting chain .Iaddend.for supporting energy conveyingmeans, especially power lines and hoses, which includes two oppositelylocated substantially parallel and laterally elastically yieldableplate-shaped arms and .[.a transverse.]. wall .[.transverse.]..Iadd.means extending transversely .Iaddend.to the longitudinalextension of said arms, .Iadd.said transverse wall means interconnectingsaid arms at an area between the ends of said arms and defining at leastone transverse opening in said link adapted to receive energy conveyingmeans for retention between said arms, .Iaddend.each of said arms havingtwo sections offset with regard to each other where said transverse walladjoins said two sections and in a direction transverse to thelongitudinal plane of symmetry of the chain link, so that the distancebetween one pair of opposite arm sections is less than the distancebetween the other pair of opposite arm sections, one pair of oppositearm sections being provided with axially aligned holes and the otherpair of opposite arm sections being provided with studs corresponding indiameter to a slide fit in said holes. .Iadd.19. The link of claim 18wherein said arms, said transverse wall means and said studs areintegrally formed of the same material. .Iaddend. .Iadd.20. The link ofclaim 18 wherein said arms and said transverse wall means are integrallyformed of the same material and said studs are separately made of adifferent material. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21. The link of claim 18 whereinsaid arms and said transverse wall means are integrally formed of thesame material and wherein bushings made of a different material are setinto the bores of the respective link arm sections. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22.A power-line supporting chain for supporting energy conveying means,especially power lines and hoses, which includes a plurality of chainlinks pivotally connected to each other, each of said links beingH-shaped and having two oppositely located and substantially parallelplate-shaped arms and wall means extending transversely to thelongitudinal extension of said arms and interconnecting the same at anarea between the ends of said arms, said transverse wall means definingat least one transverse opening in each link adapted to receive energyconveying means for retention between said arms, each of said armshaving two sections connected to each other at the region of saidtransverse wall means, one of said sections of each arm being providedwith a bore and the pertaining other section of the same arm beingprovided with a stud having an outer diameter corresponding to a slidefit for said bore, each of said sections of said arms being laterallyelastically yieldable in a direction transverse to the longitudinalplane of symmetry of the respective link to an extent such that the saidsections of the arms provided with bores on one link and the saidsections of the arms provided with studs on a following link may beflexed relative to each other to enable entry of the studs into thebores, said chain links being arranged so that the studs of one chainlink pivotally engage the bores of the respective next following linkwhile the bores of said one chain link are pivotally engaged by thestuds of the respective next preceding link, the end portion of eachside plate which bears the stud being offset from the end portion of theside plate which contains the bore. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. The chain ofclaim 22 in which each of the sections of the arms provided with a borealso includes a cut-away portion extending between the bore and theadjacent edge of the arm section which provides a guide passage forguiding a stud into the respective bore. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. The chainof claim 23 in which the width of said cut-away portion tapers inwardlyfrom the edge of the arm sections toward the bore. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25.The chain of claim 23 in which the depth of the cut-away portiondecreases with decreasing distance from the edge of the bore. .Iaddend.